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It can be difficult to use social media without putting all your business out there but it doesn’t have to be! Facebook has lots of ways to limit the audience so only who you want to see your posts can see it. If you have a Facebook friend that you don’t want to remove but don’t want to see their posts, there’s a way to do that also. Read below to find out more so you can get control of your social media audience.

Who appears in your feed

First, let’s cover how you change what friends appear inside your Facebook news feed. You can tell Facebook to show certain friends’ posts first in your newsfeed or not to show them at all. To make the change visit your friends Facebook page by using the search at the top of the Facebook page to enter their name. Once you select the friend you will be taken to their Facebook page. At the top of their page you will see “Friends” to indicate that you are friends with that user. To the right of the Friends option you will see “Following”. Drop this box down to choose either “see posts first” to see their Facebook posts at the top of your newsfeed or to choose “unfollow”. Don’t worry if you change your mind you can follow the same steps and choose default to go back to the standard settings.

Excluding specific users

Next let’s learn more about how Friend Lists can help you better manage your Facebook page. Friend Lists are NOT public therefore you can combine any group of friends and it will be private for you to see only. If you have a group of people that you NEVER want to see your Facebook posts but you still want to remain friends, then you can use the Friends Lists function to create a group of people. Once you create that List you can post to all friends EXCEPT that group of users. You will need to be on a computer and not a mobile device to create the lists however, once your lists are created you can select to exclude or post to any of those lists whether you are on a PC or mobile device.

To find “Friend lists” visit Facebook while logged in and look on the left side of your newsfeed. Look for the headline “Explorer”, Friend Lists will be listed in that section. If you don’t see it click on “See More…” to fully expand the list. Once you visit this page you will see that Facebook has already created some lists for you based on your profile information such as places you worked or where you went to school. At the top, you will click on “+ Create List” and then give your list a name. For example, I have one I labeled “privacy” where I keep all the people who I would rather not share my private posts with. It’s important to note that anything you label as public on Facebook will be visible to these friends and anyone who you are not friends with on Facebook. After you give your list a name you will be able to begin entering names in the members box. Facebook will search through your friends as your adding names so you will want to list your Friends as their names appear on Facebook. Once you have listed all the people you want in your list click “Create”.

Changing your page’s privacy

If you want to change who can see Facebook posts that you add you will want to change the privacy settings for the individual post. To do that when you go to post anything on Facebook beside the post button you want to drop down the box to the left of Post which usually says “Friends”. There you can change your privacy to make your post Public, Friends only or for you only. If you click on the more options button at the bottom you will have the option to choose from the lists you created. If you want to individually select who can see your post or if you want to EXCLUDE certain people from you post you can choose to share with or exclude individual people or lists from this screen. For instance using the example above If I wanted to exclude my “privacy” list I would click more options, then in the box labeled “Don’t share with” I would enter privacy and my list would appear. Now when you go to make your post the button beside post will say “Custom”. Facebook will retain these settings on your device and the next time you go to post you will see “Custom” in the box again. If you want to change your privacy settings just click on it once again to select a different option.

Limit past posts visibility

If you’ve been posting publicly and suddenly decide that you want to limit your previous posts to be “friends only” you can do that as well. On a PC, visit Facebook and click the drop down arrow towards the top right of your Facebook page and choose settings. On the left-hand side of your screen click on “Privacy”. On a mobile device click the 3-vertical lined menu and scroll all the way to the bottom of the page until you see account settings. Choose account settings and then choose privacy. From this screen you can choose to “limit the audience for posts you’ve shared with friends of friends or public” and then click on limit old posts to confirm.

If you are new to Facebook or need additional help to learn how to use Facebook contact Jester’s Computers for affordable one-on-one classes where we can show you hands on the in’s and outs of the Facebook features, you would like to learn. At Jester’s Computers, we provide quick and affordable service for desktops and laptops you can reach us at (717) 642-6611 or visit us on the web at www.jesterscomputers.com

Need some tips on buying electronic gifts this holiday season? We have chosen a few popular holiday items to discuss as well as some tips to help you decide which gift is best for your loved one. Stumped on what to buy the techie that has everything? You might just find that some of the things on our list are things they don’t yet have!

For the Gamer

This year a few exciting new projects are out on the market including Nintendo’s NES Classic Edition which is much smaller than the original Nintendo system and includes one wired controller, 30 games (including several Mario’s and Donkey Kong) and can be connected to modern TV’s via its HDMI port. This system is designed to be an all-in-one device meaning you can’t insert cartridges or download additional games but at a $59.99 price point you can’t go wrong.

Interactive gaming for kids (and kids at heart!) is at an all new level with Lego Dimensions and Disney Infinity. Both combine console gaming with physical figurines that allow you to design, create and explore. Both systems are available for multiple consoles and starter packs start at roughly $30. This is a great holiday toy as well because you can give other gift purchasers the idea to buy expansions and additional figurines to make the experience even more fun!

For the Music Lover

Do you know someone who’s still toting around some old vinyl? Check out 1byone’s belt driven 3 speed stereo turntable which can be found for under $50. This awesome product even allows you to convert your vinyl music to mp3 format allowing you to preserve your favorite oldies! The player also includes speakers and a USB input allowing you to play your other devices through it and an RCA output if you want to connect it to another stereo system.

Does someone in your gift receiving circle aspire to become a DJ one day? Numark’s party mix starter DJ controller is a great starting point and includes not only a turn table but a lightshow and software for your computer as well. At just $99 this is one awesome gift and don’t’ worry if it gets too noisy you can easily plugin headphones! When it’s time to show off your skills you can simply connect to a speaker system for a high-quality experience! There’s no need to worry whether your gift receiver has a Mac or a PC since this device will work with any of the recent operating systems on either platform.

For the everyday busy body

For the person who’s always on their phone consider a smart watch which can sync to their phone providing easy access to alerts and notifications. The price of a smart watch can vary significantly and iPhone users will need to specifically purchase an Apple watch which starts in the upper $200 range while Android users can find smart watches in a wider range of price points. Some of the wearable watches feature a sleeker style with an analog clock while many of them feature an all-digital display.

Amazon’s Echo and Google’s Home both bring audio computing to your home providing easy voice activated information in a flash! Both devices have a price point starting around $130 and both require a wireless network connection to use their features. These devices can provide quick access to information such as the weather or news and can play your favorite streaming music platform with ease. Both devices have many of the same features, however if you use Amazon music you may want to lean more towards Amazon’s Echoand if you want to sync your audio playback to other Google Cast devices then Google Home is the way to go.

For the avid PC user

Maybe the person you need a gift for already has a great computer but what if you can make it even better? For those who are still running on a standard SATA hard drive, a Solid State hard drive adds reliability and a massive speed boost! If a computer has had a hard drive in it for over 4 years it never hurts to replace or upgrade the drive before failure occurs. A hard drive that is operating can be cloned onto a solid-state drive at Jester’s Computers for just $65. Solid State drives range in price depending on the size you would like however a 525 GB drive runs around $170 depending on the brand.

If the person you need to buy a gift for could use some computer assistance, consider a gift certificate from Jester’s Computers for a clean-up or some computer lessons. We recommend clean-ups yearly for regular maintenance and they are a flat rate of $99. One-on-One lessons are available in our office for $25 an hour or in a local residence or business for $40 an hour.

For free technology advice contact Jester’s Computers at (717) 642-6611 or visit us on the web at www.jesterscomputers.com For over 18 years our family owned and operated business has been providing locals with quality computer services and advice!

By Ayse Stenabaugh

So, your internet is chugging along one day until suddenly you attempt to use the internet and you receive the dreaded “page can’t be displayed” warning instead of the website you were trying to visit. Never fear! Before you take your computer to a repair shop there are a few basic troubleshooting steps that even the non-computer savvy can complete to try to resolve your issues first.

Restart your devices

More often than not, restarting your computer and your modem and router (if you have one) will resolve your issue.

Turn off your modem. Your modem is usually provided by your internet service provider and will usually have a phone line or coax cable running to it. To turn it off simply unplug power from the device until you no longer see any lights. If you still see lights after unplugging search for a backup battery that may be installed on the modem and remove that for 30 seconds and then replace it.

Once your modem is unplugged or turned off, if you have a router you will need to turn that off as well. If you don’t have a router separate from your modem you can skip to step 4. If you have Wi-Fi extenders or repeaters you will want to turn those devices off now as well.

Now once your devices are off wait 30 seconds and reconnect power to your MODEM ONLY.

After 3-5 minutes your modem should be fully rebooted and you can plug in any routers and/or Wi-Fi extenders or repeaters that you are using.

Last boot up your computer again and try to re-connect to your network

Try another device

To determine if your network is the problem try another computer or device on your network. If you can connect using another device on the same network the problem is most likely in the device itself. See the next suggestion for more troubleshooting tips if this doesn’t resolve your issue

Try another network

Like most electronic devices your modem or router can fail too. Try connecting your device to a friend, family member or neighbors network next. If you still can’t connect then the problem is likely within your computer or device.

Still not working? If your computer performed updates recently it may be a driver issue. If not, your wireless card or device may be failing. Either way at Jester’s Computers we can diagnose your issue for just $32.50 or less. We troubleshoot and repair most issues within 24 hours so why not bring your computer in for support. You can contact us at (717) 642-6611

By Ayse Stenabaugh

With so many options for computers deciding on the one that is right for you can be stressful. Due to their proprietary nature, you won’t find many custom-built desktops, however, many computer repair businesses offer custom build desktops. There are many differences between buying a computer that is pre-built to having one custom build by a computer technician that you can trust. We can’t speak for other companies that built their own computers, however, read on below to learn the difference between a desktop computer being purchased from a big box store compared to ones that we build here at Jester’s Computers

Meeting your needs – You will likely be purchasing a computer that is faster than your previous system but even then, the specifications can be confusing. If you purchase an already built system you are relying on the manufacturer to provide you with enough speed for the applications you will be using. If you purchase a custom-built computer, in most cases, your technician will ask what types of applications you will be running on the device, to ensure that the computer will meet or exceed the minimum system requirements.

Getting the software, you need – Contrary to popular belief Microsoft Office’s Word, Excel, Outlook etc. do NOT come with a new computer. Some companies will bundle Office with the computer but the price is always built into the computer’s price. You can always re-install Office if you have your license and the disk. If you can’t locate your software and product key and Office it is still installed on a working computer, your technician may be able to retrieve the information to install Office on your new computer. Some new computers don’t come loaded with programs that many people require including Flash, Java and Adobe reader. If these programs are already installed many times they will require updates along with Windows right out of the box because updates come out frequently and its unlikely that you will be purchasing a device that hasn’t been sitting long enough to accumulate some necessary updates.

Getting your computer setup – You may be surprised at how different things look on a new computer especially if you are using a new operating system. At Jester’s Computers, we transfer your old computer data to your new custom built desktop PC for no additional fee ($65 value). We also tweak your operating system to run more efficiently and setup things like your email and your printer for no additional fees. If you prefer to have someone come to your home to setup your computer we offer that service for an additional fee as well.

Eliminate the junk – Computer manufacturers tend to install an enormous amount of what we like to call “Bloatware”. Many of these programs are trial programs that not only take up storage on your device but may be slowing it down right out of the box. A custom-built computer will include only the main operating system and very little else (which is a GOOD thing!).

Warranty & Support – Nobody wants to contact support to wait on hold just to end up talking to someone that is difficult to understand. When purchasing a custom-built computer be sure to ask about what support you are provided with afterwards. Here at Jester’s Computers we perform all hardware repairs within the first year and in most cases, we replace the part on the spot rather than waiting for your device to be replaced through the manufacturer. Additionally, most parts carry warranties above and beyond the 1 year period which are still in effect, if you purchase a pre-built computer you won’t receive any warranty on the internal hardware above the manufacturers 1 year warranty.

Cost – Typically a custom PC will cost a bit more than ones that you can find in the store. You will also find that the parts that are used tend to be a higher quality than most computers found in the store. Consider this, most technicians purchase parts that have been reliable and are trustworthy and familiar to them. This means that you are not only receiving better quality but better support as well.

If you are interested in purchasing a new custom-built machine be sure to view our systems page for Jester’s Computers which can be found on here.

For fast, quality service you can rely on for your computers contact Jester’s Computers at (717) 642-6611 or visit on the web at www.jesterscomputers.com

There can be a number of reasons why a desktop computer monitor is not displaying an image. Before taking your computer or monitor to your local repair shop you can try some easy troubleshooting steps below to help determine the cause of your display issue.

If Monitor Displays “NO SIGNAL” or “SELF TEST” – this means that your computer monitor is working properly but isn’t getting a signal from the computer. Start troubleshooting your issue by ensuring that both ends of the video cable that goes between your computer and your monitor are pushed in the whole way. Your monitor cable will look like one of the three examples below. If you have a VGA or HDMI cable be careful not to screw the adapter in place too tightly. You also want to be careful not to pull on the cable until the screws have been loosened completely from the back of the computer.

VGA

DVI

HDMI

Monitor power light is off – If your monitor is not displaying a power light then you might have a problem with your monitor. Ensure that the power adapter to the monitor is plugged in completely. Test your power outlet with another device such as a lamp to ensure the power outlet works. If you have another cable that matches your monitors power cable you can try using that or take your monitor to a local repair shop to see if they can test your monitor. If you have another monitor that you can plug into your computer you can test that just to rule out any potential issues with your computer.

My monitor has power but I have no display – usually this points to a video card or display driver issue. You can first check to make sure your video cable is plugged into the proper display port on the back of your computer. If you have two separate areas on your computer that have the same display adapter your computer has on-board video as well as a video card. Try plugging into the video card (usually away from other connections) first and if no-signal or self test is displayed on your monitor try the other port.

What should you do if I still have no display on my computer monitor?

If the above don’t resolve your issue you may need to take your computer to a local computer repair shop for additional troubleshooting and support. Your technician will want to see your computer tower first to ensure that the display output from your computer is working properly.

If your computer displays properly on another monitor your technician can check to ensure that your screen resolution isn’t set too high for the monitor your normally use. If the resolution is within normal ranges your monitor may need repaired or replaced. Replacing your out of warranty monitor may be the most sensible option depending upon the monitors age and specifications.

If your computer does not display properly on another monitor your technician will need to perform further diagnostics to determine if other components including motherboard, memory or power supply are contributing to the lack of display.

If your computer requires a new video card the cost of the repair will depend upon the quality of parts purchased and the video requirements that you need. If your using your computer for gaming or programs that are graphics intensive the cost of your video card will be higher. Basic video cards can cost as little as $49.99 or even less but you don’t want to sacrifice too much quality for price. The video cards that we purchase for the average gamer is around $150. Part installation fees can vary from repair shop to repair shop at Jester’s Computers we charge $15 for part installation.

Recently we have seen an increase in the number of users complaining about script errors appearing in their web browser.

What are script errors?

Many websites use JavaScript on their pages to display certain features and content. JavaScript errors commonly occur on websites that contain advertisements on them which fail to load due to an error or incompatibility with the web browser you are using.

Who is being affected most by script errors?

Those who are using Mozilla’s Firefox web browser are reporting an increased number of script errors from websites that are using flash. Websites that contain heavy advertisements or rotating banners have been more commonly affected. If you are using Embarqmail, Centurylink Email or Comcast email services and access your email through their website you have probably experienced theses script errors advertisements trying to load on the page.

How can I resolve problems related to script errors?

There are a resolutions that you can choose from to take care of your script errors

Use a different web browser – The website may be incompatible with the browser you are using trying using a different one (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome or Safari we do NOT recommend using Edge browser which is built into Windows 10)

Use an extension to block scripts on specific pages – If you must visit the website and a different web browser doesn’t work for you, try searching for an add-on or extension for your web browser that will allow you to indicate which pages aren’t allowed to run scripts

Don’t access that website – If you don’t need to visit that website and have another resource available to you that may be an option. If your email providers website is where you are experiencing the issue you can read this article we wrote about switching email providers to avoid these and other further problems.If you are unsure how to use extensions or would like assistance with performing this actions we described above and have internet access in most cases we can usually resolve your script errors remotely for our $10 minimum charge

Windows Passwords & Pins

When you login to your computer you may or may not have a password. Some computers will allow you to use a fingerprint scanner and some touch screen computers will even let you touch certain areas of a picture to login instead of using a password. It is important to remember that this does NOT replace your password and you should still remember your alphanumeric password that was first created. Windows 10 now allows users to login using a 4 digit pin code – again this does not replace your password and to perform some repairs and actions within Windows your alphanumeric password will be required.

The dangers of BIOS passwords

For added security some users enable a BIOS password which is a password stored on your motherboard that must be entered BEFORE Windows loads. If you require additional security such as this please don’t make the mistake of forgetting this password! If you happen to forget this password, you are more than likely going to need to send your computer to the manufacturer to have the password removed or reset. If you don’t need the additional security, we recommend removing the BIOS password entirely and using a Windows password instead!

Most Websites require passwords!

If you use email, you have a password. If you use Facebook you have a password for that too! Any website that you use that provides you access to account information or your personal data requires a password for security purposes! Often when we ask for an email password customers reply with “I don’t have one”. While you may not need to enter a password or login information on your personal computer (because you have allowed your web browser to save your password for you) it doesn’t mean that you don’t have one. If you were to login to another computer, you would be required to enter your login credentials including username (or email address) and password.

Most web browsers will give you the option to save your password so that you won’t need to enter it each time you visit a website. This can be a very useful feature! Keep in mind that Firefox and Google Chrome will allow you to view saved passwords where Internet Explorer will let you save them but won’t give you the ability to view them later on.

Security & Password Resets

If you forget a password you can usually attempt to login to the website that you are trying to access and choose the “forgot password” option. In most cases when you first setup your account you were asked to enter alternate contact information such as an email address or phone number that you are able to access. Using the information you provided, you will be given a clue (such as a partial view of the email address or phone number provided) and you will need to fill in the missing information. If you provide the proper information a reset link is emailed or a security code is sent to your cell phone (landlines will usually receive a phone call with an automated code). Once you receive that code and enter it on the screen (or click the reset link in your email) you will be asked to create a new password. If you are resetting an email password and you receive your email on another device, you will also need to enter the new password before you will receive emails in that location.

If you have a need for technology assistance contact Jester’s Computers located at 5135 Fairfield Road at 717-642-6611 or visit us on the web at www.jesterscomputers.com or on Facebook! We are a family owned and operated computer repair shop that provides affordable and fast service!

We will inspect your computer for hardware or software damage and will give you an estimate for the repair. This fee is WAIVED if you have the repair work completed or purchase a new computer through us.

Through diagnostics, we will be able to determine if physical hardware is preventing your system from functioning properly, or if software installed on the computer is causing a conflict.

If the diagnostics prove that a part has failed we will offer you our best recommendation for a replacement part or system. You will receive an accurate quote for the repair and you may choose to complete the repair or pay the diagnostic fee.

If the diagnostics prove that software has caused a conflict on your system we will recommend the service that will correct the problem. Most computer problems are software problems that do not require part or computer replacement. If you wish to not repair the computer you may also pay the diagnostic fee.

Will there be a charge for diagnostics?

Advice is always free! We will always attempt to provide you with expected costs for repairs based on the information provided to us. If we attempt to hook up your computer and determine your repair needs right away there is usually no diagnostic fee.

Specific errors or uncommon technical issues may require diagnostics and troubleshooting before a resolution can be determined or achieved.

Diagnostics and troubleshooting is a standard flat rate fee $32.50 which will be applied any repairs or services that are received during your visit.

You can view all of our computer repair services by visiting our services page here.

Can diagnostics be done in my home or office?

In many cases diagnosing your computer on-site is only recommended after we have done initial diagnostics and troubleshooting in our office. This helps us to determine if the issue is isolated a device or connection that is only being used in your residence or business.

If you are unable to bring in your device we offer drop-off and pickup services for an additional $15 fee within 10 miles of our office.

If your printer or network needs troubleshooting you will require on-site services which are billed hourly.

WE CAN STILL UPGRADE YOU TO WINDOWS 10 FOR FREE!*

Although the Windows 10 upgrade is no longer available as a free upgrade through your PC ,we can still manually install the software for you! We offer upgrades to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8 machines with a valid active Windows key for just $65.
*Installation is $65 the cost of the Windows 10 software to you is FREE!

Are you not quite comfortable upgrading to Windows 10 on your own?

Do you have concerns about configuring your printers and other devices to be compatible with Windows 10?

We can answer all of your questions about upgrading to Windows 10 and we can ensure compatibility of your hardware and software before your upgrade your device. Be sure to present any questions you have regarding compatibility prior to

What do you get with a professional installation?

Yes – upgrading to Windows 10 from a compatible Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 computer is free until July 29th at which time Microsoft will begin charging for software to upgrade your device to Windows 10. Upgrading your computer usually takes just a few hours and can be done by the user without a professional however, many of our customers appreciate our knowledge and experience which provides you with the following benefits.

Hassle free installation – don’t worry about answering any of the setup questions incorrectly we setup your computer with Windows 10 and ensure that all available hardware drivers are installed and updated.

Resolve common problems – not all upgrades are free of problems and we know exactly how to resolve them quickly to ensure that you get your computer in most cases the same day.

Custom Configuration – We know learning a new operating system isn’t always the most fun so we’ll do everything we can to make the experience less frustrating by setting up your default programs and creating shortcuts to places you commonly access.

Professional installation is usually $65 if you also get a clean-up at the regular price of $99 we discount your Windows 10 upgrade $15 making your Windows 10 upgrade installation and setup only $50!

What if I already upgraded to Windows 10? Don’t worry we can still customize your Windows 10 installation even after the upgrade has been completed. We offer several options to tweak your device, if you receive another service on your device we will include tweaking your device for free, or we can just tweak your device for our minimum half hour fee of $32.50.

What if I need more help once I’ve been upgraded to Windows 10? One of the great things we offer is one-on-one instruction with our technology educator Ayse. She will work with you at your pace and skill level to help you learn how to use your device while gaining confidence on the computer. We offer a Tweak and Teach package where we tweak your device and provide a 10-15 minute mini lesson showing you how to use the basic feature of Windows 10 an answering any questions you have. If that’s not enough time we provide full hour individual classes in our shop for just $25 per hour.